Neighbourly Notes – 9 August 2018

GLAD TO BE BACK: Organisers of the inaugural SKCO Karate Championships, held at the Fish River Resort on Saturday, Maureen de Jager, left, and Gary Grapentin, said the Fish River had a special atmosphere and great amenities to host karate events. Picture: ROB KNOWLES

IT’S Women’s Day, so we hope all our womenfolk are safe and well and have a great public holiday. And, for the men, just spend the day doing all the jobs your women do for you every day. Things like washing the dishes and cooking and serving all the meals? Why not give your ladies the day off. By doing their work, even for just a day, you will realise just how much work they get done every day.

LAST weekend was a very busy one, specifically in Port Alfred where we had a Port Alfred High School derby day to celebrate its Founders Day, a show at the Little Theatre on the Wharf and then back to PAHS for an 80s bash. Also, it was great to see karate back at the Fish. This is one of my favourite events of the season, and it’s good it has returned to its home beside the Fish River.

THIS week we have more entertainment in the area with events such as the Bathurst Country Affair taking place from Thursday through to Sunday. This is always a fun time in the village, and thousands of visitors come from all over the country to see what Bathurst has to offer. This is most certainly an affair that you do want to attend. Not only will there be the usual activities, but the vintage motorcycles at the MotoX event at the showgrounds should pique the interest of all the petrol-heads in the area. And, if you feel like you want to sit back and relax after a hard week’s work, why not get to Classics at the Castle on Friday late afternoon, where classical guitarist Cinzia Milani will be playing at the Richmond House Museum/music room. And, for those of you who are hungry (for knowledge, of course) how about attending the PAHS Women’s day dinner and fashion show at the high-school hall? While in Bathurst, why not attend the St John’s Church Fete on Saturday morning? And, for those who live at or near Titi Jonas Multi-purpose Centre, what about the Sarah Baartman District Regional Administration Branch who will present the District Open Regional Championships themed “Dancesport South Africa”.

WE had a problem with our front page story this week which is about the water crisis here in Ndlambe. We all know that Amatola Water has not done the job they were employed to do, and that costs for the bulk water project have doubled and even tripled since they were first announced. The timeline has slipped so much that people have even forgotten what the project was about. But when we ask specific questions of the municipality about the water problems that have plagued Port Alfred (including Nemato) over the last week we expect someone to get back to use. For two full days Talk of the Town has left multiple messages on the phones of municipal spokesman Cecil Mbolekwa, municipal manager Rolly Dumezweni and even Ndlambe mayor Phindile Faxi, all to no avail. All were on voice mail (or that irritating message “There’s no need to leave a message…). Surely, if the local newspaper needs to inform the public of what’s going on, there has to be someone at the municipality to speak to? And, if we cannot get any answers, how does the man on the street do so?

BUSINESS anniversary congratulations and all the best for your continued success to Bushman’s Bar and Grill and Hendri Frankenveld’s office at Rosehill Mall.

WITH last year’s figures in brackets to compare against, the Rand was trading at R13.42/$ (R13.31), R15.55 to the Euro (R17.39), R17.42/£ (R14.88). Commodities were trading at Gold $1,209.28 per fine ounce ($1,352.44), Platinum was trading at $832.90 per fine ounce ($1588.80) and Brent Crude Oil price of $73.90 ($44.63) per barrel.

SPECIAL thoughts and prayers are with all those folk who are not well, who are having or have already had tests, operations and treatments. “Sterkte” to Roy Potter, Andrew de Vries, Emilene Bruwer, Jenny Groenewald, Mark Price, Rowena Collin and Chris de Wet Steyn.

OUR sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Tom Hartzenberg who passed on Friday August 3, especially his wife Kay and their children. May the wonderful memories left behind sustain you at this very difficult time.

WEDDING anniversary greetings, congratulations and best wishes for many more years ahead to all couples having an anniversary, especially Jan and Pippa Sowtus, Dean and Juanita Jakins and David and Jean McCowen.

WELL done to the Proteas for redeeming themselves, at least a little, after losing the Test series. Too early to tell as yet, but it would be nice to whitewash Sri Lanka in the ODIs.